Wine Making Steps
Wine Making Steps
How is wine made - OR - What are the basic steps of winemaking?
How is wine made - OR - What are the basic steps of winemaking?
First, it is important to understand a key difference between Red wine and White wine.
First, it is important to understand a key difference between Red wine and White wine.
Red wine:
Red wine:
It is made from using red or black grapes and the skin is “not removed”.
It is made from using red or black grapes and the skin is “not removed”.
White wine:
White wine:
It is made mostly from white grapes, and the skin is “removed”.
It is made mostly from white grapes, and the skin is “removed”.
In simple terms and in summary, the following are the 5 steps in wine making:
In simple terms and in summary, the following are the 5 steps in wine making:
Step-1
Step-1
Grape Harvest:
Grape Harvest:
It is the process of picking the grapes from the vines. It can be done using machines or can be picked by hands.
It is the process of picking the grapes from the vines. It can be done using machines or can be picked by hands.
Most winemakers prefer to pick by hands, so that they don’t damage the grapes.
Most winemakers prefer to pick by hands, so that they don’t damage the grapes.
Step-2
Step-2
Grape Crushing:
Grape Crushing:
In the past, crushing was done by “stomping” on the grapes with both feet!
In the past, crushing was done by “stomping” on the grapes with both feet!
Nowadays the crushing is done using machinery. It is the process of turning grapes into grape juice.
Nowadays the crushing is done using machinery. It is the process of turning grapes into grape juice.
Step-3
Step-3
Wine Fermentation:
Wine Fermentation:
Simply put, it is the process of transforming grape juice into wine. During fermentation, the added yeast gradually converts grape sugars, into alcohol.
Simply put, it is the process of transforming grape juice into wine. During fermentation, the added yeast gradually converts grape sugars, into alcohol.
The process may be done in stainless steel tanks or wooden barrels.
The process may be done in stainless steel tanks or wooden barrels.
The fermentation takes from 5 days to 30 days, and sometime longer, depending on the wine and the winemaker.
The fermentation takes from 5 days to 30 days, and sometime longer, depending on the wine and the winemaker.
Step-4
Step-4
Wine Clarification:
Wine Clarification:
It is the step in the winemaking process, when all "particles and floating residue", in the wine is removed.
It is the step in the winemaking process, when all "particles and floating residue", in the wine is removed.
Different methods are used to achieve the best result, depending on the wine and the winemaker.
Different methods are used to achieve the best result, depending on the wine and the winemaker.
The process gives the wine “clean and crisp” look, before the wine is bottled.
The process gives the wine “clean and crisp” look, before the wine is bottled.
Step-5
Step-5
Wine Aging and Bottling:
Wine Aging and Bottling:
It is the final step and a very important one.
It is the final step and a very important one.
Depending on the winemaker, the wine can go directly into bottles, or stored in stainless steel tanks, or into oak barrels, for aging.
Depending on the winemaker, the wine can go directly into bottles, or stored in stainless steel tanks, or into oak barrels, for aging.
The aging process depends on the type of wine and the winemaker.
The aging process depends on the type of wine and the winemaker.
After certain period of time, the wines in the steel tanks and oak barrels are bottled and packaged, for distribution and consumption.
After certain period of time, the wines in the steel tanks and oak barrels are bottled and packaged, for distribution and consumption.
Cheers!
